Back to Tullius and his hopefully fairly satisfactory politics. Still don't have anything on George R.R. Martin, who has been a massive inspiration in this series with Game of Thrones. Hope you enjoy it.

Imperial General Tullius

Imperial General Tullius crossed his legs, uncrossed them. Folded his arms, unfolded them. He looked out the window, where the sun was steadily getting lower. He sighed and returned his attention to the council. They were sat around a long table. Tullius sat on Elisif's right, while Falk Firebeard, her Steward, sat on her left. Thane Erikur sat next to him, making his voice well known, while his wife Bryling studies the wooden table. The other members at the table were other Thanes, and a few Carls were present, mainly tasked with the defence of the young Jarl.

Elisif sat at the head, looking slightly unsure, having an almost constant pouring of words shoved into her pretty ears. Tullius just sat, listening, and watching.

'And that concludes the end of the plumbing.' Firebeard finished. 'Now, we have received,' he pulled out a letter from under his stack of papers; 'a report stating the strength and intentions of the 'New Stormcloaks.'

At this Tullius perked up his ears. The New Stormcloaks were a militia who supported Ulfric Stormcloak, and recently their work had had some damaging affects on morale, but as of yet they hadn't asked Tullius to intervene.

'They have continued underground activities, rallying a quarter of the population to their cause and have recently began work in making their message more prominent.'

'How so?' Tullius asked, abruptly. He looked at Falk intently, his hand pressed to his lips in an expression of total focus.

'Well, err, General, they have began to… hang bodies of Imperialists from various houses.'

'How are they doing this?'

'The guard is inept, lazy, why should we care?'

'We should care, Falk, because if we can at least convey the impression of a stable regime, despite any perceived unfairness, we would not be in a position of…' he chose his words carefully; the Nords were prickly with their honour; 'weakness.' He finished.

'And how do you presume to do this, General?' Erikur interposed.

'Very simply: increase military presence on the streets.'

'And they would still be outwitted by the Stormcloaks.'

'You mistake it, Thane. First, they are not Stormcloaks; merely discontented citizens. Two; the presence of the guards would display several things you, in your wisdom, have overlooked. Posting these guards would show a response to the situation. Their presence, despite their apparent incapability's as according to the Steward,' he nodded at Falk; 'would provide the reassurance of those trained to uphold law, which is faltering. It would also discourage the 'Stormcloaks', Thane Erikur who, as I said earlier are only citizens, and like every other citizen, they still believe in the overawing power of the sword, and most importantly, a uniform. I assume they have uniforms, Steward?'

'They are given mail, and the colours of Solitude.' He replied sullenly, reacting to the General's tone.

'Then it will work. My… Jarl.' He turned his head to Elisif, who looked surprised at being addressed. Tullius nodded, discreetly.

She looked at him, and began to open her mouth, but Falk Firebeard interrupted. Tullius shot him an icy stare, and he relented, glaring at the General. With the lack of opposition she thought briefly, and nodded her head. 'It sounds worthy, General.'

'For that, I am gracious, my Jarl.' Tullius inclined his head. 'If we may, I think we should turn our attentions to that of the war.'

Elisif answered. 'That would seem appropriate. What did you wish to bring to our- my attention.' Falk blanched, while Erikur noticed what was happening and tried to intervene. He was cut off, as Tullius deliberately kept addressing her solely. He fell back, fuming, his face turning red. He turned to Bryling and began to talk to her Elisif looked at him.

'Erikur, the General is informing us on the war effort. I think, as you own a business that is vulnerable to the rebel armies, you might be listening closely.' She scolded, surprisingly well.

'Of course, my Jarl. I hold the General's opinion in the highest regard naturally.' He sat back.

Tullius concluded his report by talking about the enemy movements and the reinforcements that have been sent from the Imperial City. That raised some murmuring and cheers from the Nords around the table, as Tullius hoped it would. They would leave with thoughts of military power and the Emperor's commitment to the war, just as he had planned.

He stood and left after Jarl Elisif took her leave and from there walked back to Castle Dour. He went into his chamber and sat at his study desk. He looked over the small map of the surrounding Holds. He took a quill and dipped in some ink. He had a letter to write to Balgruuf, of Whiterun.